1960'S VINTAGE TYNGSBORO, MA (STATION #2) PVT DAVIS FIREMAN'S FIBERGLASS HELMET

Description

1960'S VINTAGE TYNGSBORO, MA
(STATION #2, PVT DAVIS)
'F. J. DAVIS' FIREMAN'S FIBERGLASS HELMET,
W/LEATHER STRAP & DECORATED RIGID POLYMER FRONT SHIELD
,
W/RED NAME VINYL STRIP TAG LABEL INSIDE: (PVT DAVIS, TFD) BY LIC. MASTER F. J. DAVIS ELECTRICAL COMMERCIAL INDUSTRY
(Circa mid-1960's/mid-1970's)
American vintage firefighter apparel
This really nice vintage
(Tyng)sboro, or Tyngsborough, Massachusetts
mid-1960's to mid-1970's American molded fiberglass firefighter's helmet (or hat) features a hard (faux-leather) front decorated polymer painted shield, with an embossed #2 (denoting the FD station) and original front leather strap with buckle and interior leather harnass, with the maker's cloth label 'F. J. Davis,' found affixed to the inside helmet basin. The back of the flared, elongated helmet has a metal hanging hook as well as reflective, glow-in-the-dark, special reflective firefighter's tape affixed to the sidewalls of the helmet, to allow for the firefighter to be seen in the most adverse firefighting conditions. This firefighter's helmet was clearly often used in firefighting situations, with the top of the polymer brim pock-marked by falling debris and the edge of the helmet slightly chipped. The interior of the hat shows its age and vintage pedigree, with a well-worn leather harnass, reinforced with a black canvas and cord netted crib, to firmly and snugly position the helmet on a head. The firefighter's helmet seems to have been originally assigned to 'Pvt. Davis' of 'TFD' (Tyngsboro, Massachusetts) and the front shield is decorated by hand with the town's abbreviation 'Tyng' and 'Station' in opaque black magic marker over the repainted putty white arched bands. The embossed and raised number '2' has also been repainted with red enamel paint. It is likely this firefighter's hat/helmet was first put into action and initially assigned in the mid 1960's, when fiberglass/polymer helmet shells replaced the formerly embossed and sectioned leather shells found previously in firefighter helmets. This hat still has the asymmetrical, elongated back found in earlier helmets. The special reflective tape was added at a later date as a safety and self-preservation addition, to what has to be considered to be one of the most dangerous vocations on Earth. The rivets and 4 bolts holding the front shield to the fiberglass helmet are all intact, as is every other compenent of the helmet. It is untouched and still has its original surfaces and smoke-tinged, dull exterior shell. If only this helmet could tell stories and had a helmet-cam attached to it, oh what stories it would tell. In what would have to be considered to be magnificent, very well-preserved, overall vintage condition. You don't have to be a firefighter or a collector of firefighting paraphernalia to appreciate this is not just an ordinary 'hat' but something directly associated with saving lives and property. Great form and great original surfaces. So much history and so many tales in such a very small space. Terrific.
DIMENSIONS:
7" Height x 14" Length x 11 ¼" Width x 22" Head Circumference
CONDITION:
Very Good to Excellent overall vintage condition.